Fulfilment of Prophecy

John 19:23–30
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There were four Roman soldiers at the crucifixion. These four divided up Jesus’ clothes, which would have included his robe, his sandals, his belt, and his head covering. Each would have received one of these. His Tunic, however, was woven in one piece from top to bottom. They did not want to destroy it by ripping it into four parts (vv. 23-24). Instead, they gambled for it, thus fulfilling the Scriptures (Psalm 22:18). 

In contrast to the four Roman soldier, John tells us of four women present at the crucifixion. These were Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary’s sister (Jesus’ Aunt), Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Of the four gospel writers, only John mentioned Mary the mother of Jesus being at the crucifixion. Jesus was concerned about His mothers’ welfare. One of His last requests was for John to take care of His mother (vv. 25-27). John was Jesus’ cousin on his mother’s side, making him a natural choice for this duty. Jesus’ half-brothers were absent from the crucifixion. They likely did not believe in Him until after His resurrection. 

The life and death of our Lord was a fulfillment of many prophecies. When He said, “I thirst,” this was also a fulfillment of Scripture (Psalm 69:21), as well as the putting of vinegar to His lips (vv. 28-29). There were physical reasons for His thirst (Psalm 22:15), but there were also spiritual reasons (Psalm 42:1-2). When He said, “it is finished,” He meant that His redemptive work was complete and that the debt for sin had been paid in full (v. 30). The blood of the Old Testament sacrifices could never take away sin; it only covered sin. The blood of the Lamb of God, His Son, can take away the sins of the world (John 1:29).

Application

Think of the reality of Jesus dying on the cross to pay for your sin and mine.  It is something that I will never fully understand in this life. I need to thank Him more often for dying for me.